Destined

Epilogue

The long summer was coming to an end. The nights were growing colder and the days were beginning to lose their long hours of glorious sunshine. The crisp breeze whistled throughout he long grass of the field of the fallen. The once charred ground had begun to sprout life once more. The Simbelmynë flowers once again stood tall and proud as they marked the graves of those who had fallen, giving their life to their country. In the middle of the field there stood a beautiful Hawthorn tree. The mistletoe slinked and wound itself around all of the branches and mixed its beautiful white berries in with the natural foliage of the tree. Perfectly camouflaged as part of the tree. No one would ever guess there were any dark secrets lurking within the roots of the tree.

Gondor was a buzz of activity. It was the end of the growing season and the time of harvest was upon the inhabitants. Tonight was a night to give thanks for the bountiful land that Gondor had become. It would be a magnificent feast. The dark days seemed to be behind them now and the city was prospering under the rule of the King and Queen. Trading between other countries and realms were going spectacularly well. The knowledge and resources that were now being shared were ensuring all who dwelled within the light were prospering.

"Slow down Narfi! Fenrir!" A beautiful red headed little girl cried out as she dragged a wooden sword behind her.

Two boys with raven hair bounded out from the forest across the Simbelmynë field. They had wooden swords and shields and pretended to battle with one another as they raced their way to the tree marking the centre of the field.

"Hurry up Elanor! It's not out fault you've got short legs!." Narfi hollered back towards his sister.

"Perhaps you were adopted Elanor. I bet you're really a hobbit!" Fenrir shouted.

The two boys collapsed in a heap of laughter as they watched their sister try to race towards them. Fenrir sat up with his back against the Hawthorn tree. Narfi sat cross legged in front of him casually picking the petals off of the Simbelmynë flowers.

Elanor came up to them. She stood panting with her hands on her hips. "Fenrir get away from that! The tree will eat you! Theres a monster living in that tree!" Elanor scolded.

The boys continued to laugh at their sister. "Oh you mean this tree?" Narfi said as he casually stood and leaned against the tree.

"Don't touch it." Elanor squeaked.

A mischievous grin was plastered on the faces of both boys as they began to clamber up the tree. They teased and laughed at their sister. They told her how she was such a baby to be believing in such nonsense stories.

"What in the Norns is going on here!" The stern voice called out silencing the children. "Get down out of that tree this instant!"

"Yes father." The boys said in unison as they hung their heads and climbed down out of the tree.

Elanor ran into her fathers arms. She began tattle telling on her brothers and how they had been teasing her. He shooshed his daughter lovingly and told her to pay her brothers no mind.

"Is it true father?" Fenrir asked as he stood next to his father.

"Is what true son?"

"Some people say there is a great evil trapped within this tree. That mother trapped him in there and now we have to guard it to keep it contained?" Fenrir asked as he tried to hide the nervousness in his voice.

Before their father could answer the children they heard the voice of their mother calling them. She found them all settled underneath the tree.

"Here you all are." She greeted her family with a warm smile. "Our guests will be here soon. Time to get you all cleaned up. Quickly now." She ushered everyone to their feet. A member of the royal guard approached the family. He bowed and greeted his King and Queen.

"Queen Arwen, King Loki. I have come to inform you of the arrival of Geralt the Witcher and the Sorceress Yennifer."

"Thank you, Blair. We shall meet them inside." Loki thanked the guard. Blair bowed and made his exit back into the glorious stronghold within the city.

The wind around Loki and Arry picked up. The clouds rolled in and turned the blue sky a silvery grey. Lightning streaked the sky and the thunder rumbled. The children all cheered and danced with glee. They knew what the storm brought.

"Uncle Thor!" Elanor cheered.

A little ways in front of them a beautiful rainbow light shimmered and then disappeared leaving behind three figures in it's wake. The children all took flight and ran towards the figures. Cheers of Grandmother and Grandfather were shouted mixed with laughter and giggles.

Loki wrapped his arm around Arry's waist as they watched their children scramble through the fields. "Tonight will be a magnificent feast of thanks." Loki said to Arry.

"we have much to be thankful for." Arry replied as she smiled at her children who had now caught up to their grandparents and Uncle.

 Loki spoke into Arry's ear. "Looks like all the family are together."

"Together." Arry smiled as she made her way to greet Odin, Frigga and Thor with Loki.

When they reached the king and queen of Asgard Arry curtsied and welcomed them. "Welcome to Gondor. Welcome to our home."